Professional Space: Six Visual Necessities for your Business

It's often an unspoken rule in business that a consistent visual style ranging from office space to managerial staff to employee dress is one of the strongest aspects a company can have. Clients often judge businesses on how professional they appear and use such perceptions to evaluate how a business might perform a service. Here are just a few necessities for a business's look and feel.

1. Calming Art

As a form of social interaction, professional-client relationships work best when the client is comfortable and relaxed. Calming and soothing art that features enjoyable scenes or subject matter for conversations is especially engaging for clients. Nature pieces, for instance, are wonderful for the business environment. You can go beyond paintings and photography as well, adding ceramics or sculptures to pedestals and end desks.

2. Well-Kept Furniture and Cleanliness

When furniture looks good in an office and workspaces are kept clean and tidy, employees and clients will feel reassured about the professionalism of a company. It's certainly true that first impressions are important: As an article by ABC News suggests, first impressions may be more lasting than we think, and presenting one's business as an example of a well-run institution can do wonders for client relationships.

3. Professionalism in Staff

Few aspects of a business are more important than the kindness and politeness of staff towards clients. Business is primarily a system of social relationships, and as in any social relationship, courtesy and consideration on the part of staff is absolutely central to positive long-term communication with clients. Observe how workers interact with customers, and address any problems immediately with the entire staff to reduce incidents.

4. Comforting Grounds

One of the first things a visitor sees when they come to a business is the exterior of the building, its grounds, and its general orderliness. A well-cut lawn signifies care and respect for visitors, and a thick grass such as Emerald Zoysia can convey an elegant and respectful environment when used to create a first impression on visiting clients. Trees are also a wonderful addition that require little maintenance.

5. Professional Wall-Painting

Every employee and manager can remember a job they've worked at where an office was bland and boring: Simple white walls, fluorescent lighting, and beige carpeting made for a workday that felt like a chore. A simple color adjustment, such as the painting of walls in a light yellow or blue, can give an office a cheery and happy tone. Starbucks has made a veritable empire out of turning office space into some of the most comforting surroundings imaginable simply by choosing appealing colors for walls and ceilings and the use of consistently warm lighting. If only more small businesses made their own spaces as comfortable!

6. Cleaned Windows

Natural light is one of the most important visual cues in a person's day. For employees and clients, a sunny room can represent an enjoyable experience, and we often don't realize how much the difference between a clear window and a dirty one will affect our perception of a space. Investing in good window-cleaning for a business is always money well-spent.

A pristine business environment helps attract and retain customers and increases employee productivity. Maintain your property grounds, invest in calming art and apt paint choices, and be aware of your employees' interactions with customers. By keeping a professional and comfortable atmosphere in your business, you will influence the success of your company.